Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline as the moon rises during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline as the moon rises during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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The Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas fireworks display near downtown Houston is just one of many events planned in the area.

The Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas fireworks display near downtown Houston is just one of many events planned in the area.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Fireworks explode over the downtown skyline during the Freedom Over Texas annual Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle)

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff

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Karsyn Bond, 8, showed off her Fourth of July spirit last year during the Freedom Over Texas event.

Karsyn Bond, 8, showed off her Fourth of July spirit last year during the Freedom Over Texas event.

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Celebrate July Fourth in Houston area with fireworks

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You need four things on the Fourth: flags, fireworks, music and a big party. And those won't be hard to find around Houston.

On Thursday, the biggest party in town is Southwest Freedom Over Texas in Eleanor Tinsley Park. Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride headline a show that will end with fireworks lighting up the downtown skyline. But before nightfall, it's a something-for-everyone extravaganza.

Watch musicians and magicians, dancers and DJs, athletes and aviators. Test your skills on an obstacle course and an 85-foot zip line. Get autographs from former NFL players or see vintage aircraft - on the ground and overhead - from the Lone Star Flight Museum.

The kids can check out free rides and games, arts and crafts from the Orange Show and a Family Fitness Challenge from Houston's pro sports teams.

Details: Hillside seating is open (bring a lawn chair or blanket). Covered seating requires a free ticket (limit four per adult at the box office between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday). milleroutdoortheatre.com